om the Black Prince, to Reginald Bryan
bishop of Worcester, dated at Bordeaux on the 20th of November,
briefly informing him of his success, which he attributes in a great
measure to the efficacy of that prelate's prayers.

The other letter is from Robert Prite to some English nobleman, dated
on the 8th of December 1356, whose clerk, or probably priest, he
styles himself, and is taken from the original on vellum in the
Cottonian MS. Caligula D. III. f. 33. After mentioning the battle of
Poictiers, the particulars of which he says he will learn from a
knight whom the duke of Lancaster had sent into England to the king,
the writer acquaints him with some other news of the time, as well as
with what had occurred in some of his towns; and entreats him to come
over as soon as possible. This letter, which is now for the first time
printed, though not so important as the others, is nevertheless of
interest, as connected with the battle of Poictiers, and with other
public and private transactions of the period.

The third document on the subject is the solemn declaration of Bernard
du Troy, a Gascon gentleman, made on his death-bed the 1st of July
1361, that he was the person who took the king of France prisoner at
the battle of Poictiers; which point it is evident from this
instrument, as well as from historians, had been much disputed. This
very curious article, which also occurs in the Cottonian MS. just
mentioned, is highly interesting; for it not only shows who were the
claimants to the honour of having captured the king, but the ardour
with which that claim was supported. It is however doubtful whether
the love of fame or pecuniary interest prompted this declaration at so
awful a moment; but his motive, like those of most other human
actions, was probably of a mixed nature; for whatever might be the
renown which was attached to the exploit, the ransom to which the true
claimant would be entitled must have been an object of great
consideration to him or to his heirs. Du Troy carefully provides, that
those who would support his pretensions with their swords should
partake of the benefits which might arise from their valour; and this
circumstance presents a curious picture of the manners of the age. Sir
Denys de Morbeque of whom he speaks, is thus noticed by Froissart.
"There was much pressing at this time through eagerness of taking the
king: and those that were nearest to him, and knew him, cried out
'Surrender yourself,